Rejected Omega: Claimed By My Ex's Uncle

Reina's POV

Today, my mate, Zayne Kingsley, was declared the Alpha of the Black Shadow Pack. Ever since he was a child, he had dreamed of this moment. He had worked tirelessly toward it, never once allowing himself to falter, and now his efforts had finally been rewarded.

I glanced at the cake I had prepared with my own hands for him for what felt like the hundredth time. Even though I knew it was perfect, I still couldn't stop checking.

"He's going to like it," I murmured softly.

After packing it carefully into a box, I headed toward Zayne's place. Starting tomorrow, he would move into the pack's mansion, the same grand home where his parents had once lived. As the new Alpha, it would now be his responsibility to lead and protect everyone under his command.

And I knew that soon, he would finally announce to the pack that I was his mate.

So far, he hadn't revealed our bond, and I understood his reasons. Zayne wanted to secure his position first. He wanted to prove himself strong enough to protect not only the pack but also me. Only then would he feel at ease making our relationship public.

Besides, I wasn't someone he could introduce lightly.

I was the illegitimate daughter of a noble Alpha, a child who was never meant to exist.

My father had never wanted me. I was a reminder of his mistake, his shame. But when my mother took her own life in front of his house, he had no choice but to take me in. Still, he never accepted me as his daughter. To him and his family, I was nothing more than a burden they were forced to carry.

I was never truly part of the Ashfall family. I was their hidden sin, something they wished to erase.

While my father's legitimate daughter enjoyed comfort, admiration, and love, I was pushed into the servants' quarters and treated like one of the help. I wore her old clothes, ate whatever was left behind, and spent my days doing chores. No one ever showed me kindness. No one ever stood up for me.

At school, things were no better. I attended a public school where I was constantly bullied and ridiculed for my appearance and background. Still, I endured it all in silence. I focused on my studies, determined to create a better future for myself.

I worked harder than anyone else.

Eventually, I earned admission to a good college and, after graduating, secured a job as an assistant at Kingsley Corporation. For the first time in my life, I felt proud of something I had achieved on my own.

Throughout everything, Zayne had always been there.

From childhood, he had been my silent protector. Despite coming from one of the most powerful families, despite having no obligation toward me, he never ignored my suffering. Whenever I was hurt, he would find me. Whenever I cried, he would quietly stay by my side.